What is the message of this cartoon?

1. The title of the cartoon is ‘Rendezvous’. Hitler and Stalin meet in the rubble of the war to destroy Poland. Hitler says: 'The scum of the earth I believe?' and Stalin replies: 'The bloody assassin of the workers, I presume?' This cartoon by the British cartoonist David Low appeared in the Evening Standard on 20 September 1939.

2. What is the message of this cartoon?

3. To do this question, you need first to borrow two concepts from English: Denotation (what you see) Connotation (how it affects its audience) The title of the cartoon is ‘Rendezvous’. Hitler and Stalin meet in the rubble of the war to destroy Poland. Hitler says: 'The scum of the earth I believe?' and Stalin replies: 'The bloody assassin of the workers, I presume?' This cartoon by the British cartoonist David Low appeared in the Evening Standard on 20 September 1939.

4. Denotation Hitler and Stalin meet. They are both smiling broadly. The title of the cartoon is ‘Rendezvous’. Hitler and Stalin meet in the rubble of the war to destroy Poland. Hitler says: 'The scum of the earth I believe?' and Stalin replies: 'The bloody assassin of the workers, I presume?' Connotation It is a smug / greedy / evil/ pleased-with-themselves smile. Meaning They are both unpleasant, greedy, deceitful characters. This cartoon by the British cartoonist David Low appeared in the Evening Standard on 20 September 1939.

5. Denotation Hitler and Stalin stand over the body of a dead Polish soldier. The title of the cartoon is ‘Rendezvous’. Hitler and Stalin meet in the rubble of the war to destroy Poland. Hitler says: 'The scum of the earth I believe?' and Stalin replies: 'The bloody assassin of the workers, I presume?' Connotation ‘United over Poland’ has symbolic meaning. Meaning Hitler and Stalin have formed an alliance of convenience, in order to invade, destroy and divide Poland between them. This cartoon by the British cartoonist David Low appeared in the Evening Standard on 20 September 1939.

6. Denotation Both men are armed. All around is the rubble of their successful war against Poland. The title of the cartoon is ‘Rendezvous’. Hitler and Stalin meet in the rubble of the war to destroy Poland. Hitler says: 'The scum of the earth I believe?' and Stalin replies: 'The bloody assassin of the workers, I presume?' Connotation Guns = militarism, violence, murder, conquest. Meaning Hitler and Stalin, having invaded Poland from west and east, now meet in the middle, having defeated Poland. This cartoon by the British cartoonist David Low appeared in the Evening Standard on 20 September 1939.

7. Denotation Hitler and Stalin greet each other with exaggerated politeness and smiles. The title of the cartoon is ‘Rendezvous’. Hitler and Stalin meet in the rubble of the war to destroy Poland. Hitler says: 'The scum of the earth I believe?' and Stalin replies: 'The bloody assassin of the workers, I presume?' Connotation Such actions usually are done by friends … but in this case they are obviously pretending. Meaning Hitler and Stalin are only pretending to like each other. This cartoon by the British cartoonist David Low appeared in the Evening Standard on 20 September 1939.

8. Denotation Despite the exaggerated greetings, they are saying nasty things to each other under their breath. The title of the cartoon is ‘Rendezvous’. Hitler and Stalin meet in the rubble of the war to destroy Poland. Hitler says: 'The scum of the earth I believe?' and Stalin replies: 'The bloody assassin of the workers, I presume?' Connotation ‘Scum’ reflects Hitler’s racism. ‘Assassin of the workers’ reflects Stalin’s communism. Meaning Really, they hate each other on principle, and have only united to divide Poland. This cartoon by the British cartoonist David Low appeared in the Evening Standard on 20 September 1939.

9. Finally, always remember to look at: Origin (who drew it) Date (when it was published) The title of the cartoon is ‘Rendezvous’. Hitler and Stalin meet in the rubble of the war to destroy Poland. Hitler says: 'The scum of the earth I believe?' and Stalin replies: 'The bloody assassin of the workers, I presume?' This cartoon by the British cartoonist David Low appeared in the Evening Standard on 20 September 1939.

10. Date 20 September 1939. The title of the cartoon is ‘Rendezvous’. Hitler and Stalin meet in the rubble of the war to destroy Poland. Hitler says: 'The scum of the earth I believe?' and Stalin replies: 'The bloody assassin of the workers, I presume?' Details Three days after the Russians had invaded Poland to meet German forces invading eastwards. Significance Low is responding to the successful conquest of Poland by the Nazi-Soviet Pact. This cartoon by the British cartoonist David Low appeared in the Evening Standard on 20 September 1939.

11. Origin The British cartoonist David Low. The title of the cartoon is ‘Rendezvous’. Hitler and Stalin meet in the rubble of the war to destroy Poland. Hitler says: 'The scum of the earth I believe?' and Stalin replies: 'The bloody assassin of the workers, I presume?' Details Low hated Hitler, and believed that he wanted to take over the world. Significance Low is giving vent to all his loathing and disgust at Hitler (and Stalin), by showing the true nature of their alliance. This cartoon by the British cartoonist David Low appeared in the Evening Standard on 20 September 1939.